But First…Why Does Sex Matter?

1. It keeps you healthy

According to a study at Wilkes University, those who have sex once or twice a week have more illness-combatting immunoglobin in their saliva than their sexless counterparts.

Plus, sex is a workout. It burns calories – at least 85 an hour – and keeps your heart healthy. A 20-year study recently revealed that people who had sex more than twice a week were half as likely to have a fatal heart attack than those who got lucky less than once a month.

2. It makes you confident

Sex is an integral component of intimate relationships with a loved one, and it can do wonders for your self-esteem. Dr. Gina Ogden, a sex and marriage therapist, agrees with this:

“One of the reasons people say they have sex is to feel good about themselves. Great sex begins with self-esteem. … If the sex is loving, connected, and what you want, it raises it.”

So the next time you’re feeling down and out, the intimacy of sex may give you the turnaround you’re looking for.

3. It relieves stress

You may have already noticed that sex can alleviate the tension and anxieties associated with long and hectic work schedules.

Sometimes, it’s necessary to take your mind off of the things that cause you the most stress, and sex can give you that much-needed reprieve.

One study has found that diastolic blood pressure is often lower in people who live together and have sex often, and a Scottish report showed that sexually active people respond better to high-risk scenarios.

Unfortunately, it’s a bit of a catch-22–many of us don’t make time for sex because we’re so stressed, and as a result, our libido plummets.

How You And Your Partner Can Get In The Mood

1. Get your beauty sleep

It may seem counteractive – you’re trying to play in the bed, not sleep in it, right? Well, sleep is actually one of the most important factors to consider if you’re trying to improve your sex drive.

Getting plenty of sleep is necessary in order to maintain normal stress levels and proper functioning of the body; if you don’t get enough sleep, then your whole body suffers, including the organs responsible for keeping your sex drive intact and working appropriately.

Getting 6-8 hours of sleep each night is ideal.

2. Get moving outside of the bedroom

Regular exercise increases blood flow in the body, particularly to those organs involved in sex. In addition, exercise can improve how your body looks, bettering self-esteem and confidence levels.

If you’re confident about how your body looks, you won’t be as hesitant to take control and make the move in the bedroom.

3. Give or receive a massage

A massage is an especially great way to get the juices flowing for two reasons.

First, it involves intimate interaction with another person; all that rubbing and pressurizing can really be a turn on.

Secondly, it helps reduce stress and tension in the body, and it’s particularly helpful after a long day of work.

Whip out the oils, candles (see below), and some soft music to get your special someone in the mood.

4. Eat well

Much like exercise, healthy eating can lead to weight loss and allow you to feel good about your body; overconsumption and subsequent weight gain can lead to blood vessel diseases that can block or slow the flow of blood to the genitals.

In addition, there are certain foods that have the ability to the increase the production of enzymes that improve sex drive. Bananas, oysters, and avocados are just a few examples of foods that can spice up your sex life.

5. Relaaaaax!

Meditate, listen to music, read a book – find time to relax in order to decrease stress levels.

High levels of stress increase the production of cortisol, a hormone that causes testosterone levels to plummet.

Try relaxing for at least 15 minutes a day to reduce cortisol levels and improve your sex drive – you might be surprised by the results.

6. Break out the candles

Sometimes the right smell can get people in the mood. Candles can be pretty romantic, too, so that’s always a great place to start.

Try different scents and see if any of them get you or your partner particularly hot and bothered.

If all those candles and essential oils seem too complex for you, perhaps it may help to invest in some nice cologne or perfume, instead.

7. Experiment with herbs

Firstly, gingkobiloba is an herb derived from the tree of the same name, and it’s known to increase blood flow to the brain and sexual organs.

There’s also ashwaganda, a supplement that can give you more energy and decreases the negative effects of stress.

Yohimbine is an African plant known as the natural Viagra, and it’s possible that it decreases the likelihood of impotence in men.

Finally, tulsi (holy basil) is a popular Indian herb that boosts stamina and energy levels, something that is particularly important when participating in strenuous physical activities.

8. Quit smoking!

Although cigarettes were once glamourized in films and magazines as a mysterious and sexy accessory, the smelly clothes, bad breath, dry mouth, and the assortment of negative ramifications associated with smoking are enough to turn anybody off.

Everybody knows that smoking can cause lung cancer, but perhaps if more individuals knew that it slows blood flow to sex organs and slashes energy levels, there wouldn’t be so many smokers.

The Takeaway

Sex matters to a lot of people, not just because it feels good, but because sexual intimacy keeps couples interested and happy. In addition, it can relieve stress, improve immune function, help your heart, and do a whole lot of other great things.

Even though it can be hard to find the time to engage in sex, let alone feel in the mood for it, there are ways that can help you increase sex drive naturally…without having to pop a libido-enhancing pill or avoid sex altogether.